Democratic Republic of the Congo

Debout Congolais

About:

Debout Congolais (Arise, Congolese) was first adopted as the Congolese national anthem in 1960. in 1971, the anthem was abandoned in favour of La Zaïroise, as part of reforms and changes initiated by Mobutu Sese Seko as he consolidated control over the country he renamed Zaire. After his overthrow in 1997, Debout Congolais was reinstated as the national anthem by Laurent Kabila.

Arise, Congolese, United by fate,
United in the struggle for independence,
Let us hold up our heads, so long bowed,
And now, for good, let us keep moving boldly ahead, in peace.
Oh, ardent people, by hard work we shall build,
In peace, a country more beautiful than before.